Hello! I am worried about a 80 foot dead ash tree in my yard, and I would appreciate any advice about what we should do at this point. A tree person with 10 years experience sawed through and roped off this tree for removal, but he has never come back to finish the job (pull it into the forest). He left twice when two different ropes snapped (the same ropes I assume are securing the tree right now). He left a third time to order a new part for his pulley system, and that was six days ago. Meanwhile, the tree base has been chainsawed, although I don't know how far through. He said that it is hollow in the middle, so I'm assuming there isn't much left to saw. He placed two wedges in the cut side (the side facing our house), and we can see ropes coming from the tree. We feel like he will eventually return because he works for a reputable tree company (we hired him on the side - he works with our neighbor), and he left his equipment here. My issue is, how secure is this tree in the meantime? Is this common practice or outrageous behavior (I feel like it's a bit outrageous to saw through a tree then disappear for a week). Are we being idiots for waiting patiently? Should be be calling in an emergency tree removal service? This tree is sitting on a ledge and would probably fall into the forest, but if it swung our way (and the ropes snapped), it would definitely fall on our house. Thank you in advance for any helpful information!
Someone started cutting a tree down for us and hasn't finished the job
- Thread starter Kitkat1
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We would love to offer our opinions but we need photos!
Thank you.
Thank you.
Welcome to As Kit.
Looking forward to the pictures. Most the ash trees I work with are under 80', and if(if) he's removed the branches and it's read to drop the stem, I'd guess it's even shorter yet. That being said, that is not standard practice and it shouldn't be done.
The fact that they are relying on AND breaking ropes concerns me.
Leaving it partially done also concerns me.
I’d get someone to put it down and then decide whether to sue guy #1 for not finishing the job or whether to eat it and move on.
Leaving it partially done also concerns me.
I’d get someone to put it down and then decide whether to sue guy #1 for not finishing the job or whether to eat it and move on.
short answer, dudes an idiot and irresponsible.
Never and I mean never leave a tree half cut and hanging, especially when the ropes you had to drag it over weren't strong enough, figure something out and figure it out ASAP.
I'd be on the phone until duder man gets his S in order and has that tree safely on the ground.
Here are photos - thank you! I guestimated the size - may not be 80 feet but feels like 80 feet looming over our house.
Attachments
EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar
ArboristSite Operative
How many times have you spoken to him since you've seen him last, and what did he say?
On Friday, he said he would be here on Saturday, but he didn't show up yesterday. He has not responded to today's text (Sunday) about when he will be back. We have remained very neutral because he is a kind person, we just feel like he overwhelmed himself in order to create quick income. We paid him half upfront, which we were comfortable with, given that he has cut down trees in the neighborhood and works for our neighbor. But, when he needed a new pulley part, he asked for the other half, and we paid that. We should have never hired a friend of a friend, but we really couldn't afford the other quotes and his was within our affordable range. We had no idea it would be such a struggle for him. He originally came out and tied a bunch of ropes but then said that he needed to bring back a helper. Then, he showed up alone days later and just started sawing and re-roping the tree by himself.
If it were me I certainly WOULDN'T have given him the last half of the payment until that tree was down and the agreed upon job was completed..id be chasing that guy down !
Ernie
Ernie
Haplo
ArboristSite Operative
Unacceptable
Haplo
ArboristSite Operative
He should reimburse you in full because he is incompetent and not properly equipped to do the job in a safe and timely manner. If he were competent he would know what equipment is needed for the job. An experienced treeman will know exactly what it will take to fall the tree. Would a "kind person" put your property and safety at risk like that?
Well, I agree. I think the tie to our neighbor made us let our guard down. I am typically against paying up front, but we did and now here we are. Does anyone know the odds of the tree falling on our house in the meantime? This guy has worked for a tree cutting service for 10 years and is the head "tree person." He cut some huge trees across the street, but he had help, and we thought he was going to bring help with him when he showed up here. He even cut a tall skinny tree down beside of the ash without asking us first because he said he had noticed that it was rotting at the top. We were a bit taken aback that he took that liberty without checking with us first.
If he's already broken ropes then he's made the face cut and has started on the back cut as is evidenced by the wedge stuck in the tree.
I'd say that tree has a high probability of falling all on it's own and you and your property are in grave danger.
You need to get it down asap.
It may even be a law enforcement issue. I think it is.
EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar
ArboristSite Operative
Epic & priceless all wrapped up in one.
Tree may be ok for a while...as long as it isn't windy and the current rope is better than the others.
Jk
Where are you located? There are probably members near you who can take care of it for you.
I do stuff like that when I can.
in other words, it needs to get taken care of asap.
Jk
Where are you located? There are probably members near you who can take care of it for you.
I do stuff like that when I can.
in other words, it needs to get taken care of asap.
Thank you! This is very helpful (and troubling). I sent him a diplomatic text this evening (no response yet), but I will start calling first thing in the morning to find someone else. Looks like saving money is going to cost us a small fortune. Thanks again for all the help!
I've never seen anyone cut and leave a tree like that in all my days of cutting
And I've been cutting since the 80s
That's beyond dangerous
Your best bet is to find a licensed tree outfit that will have the proper equipment to do it quickly.
Doorfx
ArboristSite Operative
You will never see him again. It’s dangerous to leave a tree partially cut. Here in Canada it’s against occupational health and safety regulations. Get it taken down asap and deal with the lawyers later.
Thank you! Luckily, the weather has been mild with no winds but a lot of rain. We can get some pretty high gusts that come through our valley, but they aren't calling for any high winds in the next few days. We're in Tennessee.
There have been a few instances posted here over the years. a sad reality.
